Preserving Democracy. Elgin L Hushbeck

measure their consequences: “…in order to form a more perfect union.”

       — Bob, Wisconsin

      From a Moderate

      Inviting and informative, I wish could have had "Preserving Democracy" in a political science class in college. _It is incredible the way it lays out the essence of the current structure of our laws, taxes, and the analysis of the effects on our democracy and the Constitution in light of past cultures and leaders. Elgin Hushbeck is a modern day historian providing pertinent information on how and why our Constitution and our United States way of life is so unique.

       I grew up in the Midwest and came from a large family who once owned their own company. We lived in an affluent suburb until we succumbed to the economics of the 60's. To keep food on the table we transitioned to being a family of a Union working father. _In those years both father and mother taught us the value of voting for the right reasons. _My Red, White and Blue parents voted moderately. Mom always said a change in government was a good thing and we should all vote for the individual who will do the most good, which usually translated into voting incumbents out every election. I, being the youngest, was able to travel with Mom and Dad on weekends and patriotic holidays, and during those times witnessed the earliest speeches of some of our great Senators and Representatives today.

       In College I was able to study in Kentucky, right in the heart of coal mining country. Later, when I lived as a young married woman with children in Southern Georgia I came to understand a different kind of political landscape, one of many that make up the richness of the United States. Here I learned about the importance of voting for the same person every election. As one Southerner told me "We vote knowing that we already understand whom we are dealing with; in changing we might not do as well."

       I also lived a bit in Virginia, "The center of a Commonwealth," a place where the history of this great land is a constant reminder in places like the Williamsburg Historical Center. _Being able to see the reenactment of our early years as a new nation, puts today into perspective. "Preserving Democracy" strengthens that understanding of what our forefathers envisioned. Mr. Hushbeck, a sincere thank you for preserving and explaining so many important details that are so often left out, and for simplifying the complexity of it all.

       I urge everyone to take the challenge Mr. Hushbeck sets before us. Read "Preserving Democracy." _Bring up at dinner conversation the questions at the end of the book. _I am certain you will have many hours of amazing discussion. _But most importantly, you will be able to be more informed as to our treasured way of life.

       — Di, Wisconsin

      From a Conservative

      “Preserving Democracy” is one of the most timely books that has been written. Although it has been years in the making it raises the alarm as if it had been compiled from and for current events. It is the very current events that makes this work so well-timed and consequently a most important read; and unlike just any instrument for alarm, it can be used as a handbook, a starting point for significant change or better yet preservation.

       As the subtitle (Preserving Democracy - What the Founding Fathers knew, What we have forgotten, and How it threatens Democracy) states, it explores what the Founding Fathers knew from their study of history, their knowledge of the greatest thinkers throughout history, and the wisdom they gained from the teachings of God; it discloses what we as a nation have in large part forgotten, repressed, or intentionally altered as to reasons that we are a great and blessed country; and how the dereliction of our times, the inane zeitgeist, is threatening the very existence of what we hold dear and require for life itself. We are losing the ability to exercise and maintain our form of government, a representative democracy.

       "We The People" is not just another political slogan or a blurb we bring to the surface when campaigns flair. "We The People" goes to the very soul of who we are and how we conduct our lives from day to day. Like fish, we seem to be totally unaware of the medium in which we exist. We take our way of living for granted. Only when we see it become polluted do we notice something is not right. Indeed it is the very system of government, the system that is to protect and not trample our God given rights, is now polluting our lives with its particulates and toxins. Fortunately, unlike fish, it is our system. We have the God given intelligence to step back and objectively examine our situation, the choice to correct it, and the power to do so.

       “Preserving Democracy” goes directly to the heart of the matter, to wit, the preserving of the most rarified and valued commodity in history - Liberty.

       With a love for this great nation, a well rounded education and life experience, coupled with a great sense of humor, Mr. Hushbeck began to put down his thoughts. That began ten years ago, a time when things appeared to be just right for America. No matter one's political viewpoint, it was a fact that America was the one sole superpower left standing in the world; that the dangers represented by its advisories had been mitigated if not entirely eliminated; that the wealth of the world in general had increased, not just for some, but for vast populations throughout the globe. In spite of the good times, Elgin could see, through his unique perspective of theology, history, business, and science, that there were fundamental cracks in the foundation. As the intrepid adventurer, an apt analogy found in the book, are we as a nation on a journey where there may be a point of no return?

       If you love liberty and despise equalitarian outcome, then you will love "Preserving Democracy". You will find it a must read.

       — Larry, California

      PREFACE TO THE PAPERBACK EDITION.

      It has been a tumultuous and difficult couple of years. When I started writing Preserving Democracy nearly a decade ago, the threats and problems I described, though real in the long term, had a theoretical feel about them. Sure, the country had problems that, if not corrected, could lead to serious difficulties; but those problems seemed to be in the distant future. The Internet bubble, the events of 911, and the recession that followed, while serious, were not out of line with the types of problems that the country had faced, and survived, in the past; and survive the country did. As the book was being finalized, it was becoming clear that another bubble, the housing bubble, was popping, and that this would send the country into another recession. While it was unusual to have two economic bubbles so close to each other, it looked to be just another period of economic difficulty like those the country had experienced before. In fact, early indications were that this recession might even be on the mild side. Yet, as the hardcover editionwas being readiedfor publication, it became clear that this was not going to be the case. Something was different this time. Something had changed. The theoretical dangers in the future that I had written about, suddenly seemed both more real, and much closer. In the aftermath of the housing bubble came the lockup of the credit markets, TARP, the bailouts, the takeovers, the stimulus plan, and the heretofore unimaginable explosion in government spending and its corresponding budget deficits. When it came time to write a new chapter for the paperback edition, the subject was pretty clear: what happened? How did we get here?

       In many respects the issues, dangers and problems discussed in the first nine chapters are what happened. Still, as a reader, you may want to skip ahead and start with chapter ten, as it is the most pressing and will give you a brief history of how we got here and some of the problems we face as a country. You can then return to the earlier chapters to get an even better understanding of the depth of the particular problems and the directions we need to go in order to get out of them.

       Still, all in all, I remain hopeful and upbeat. America has faced some pretty serious challenges in her history, both internal and external. Each time the American people have rallied to the challenge, and there have in fact been many “Greatest Generations.” The American people give all indications of doing the same this time.

      Elgin Hushbeck

      Wausau, WI

       May 2010

      Introduction

      The Last Best Hope

      Fellow-citizens, we cannot escape history. We of this Congress and this administration, will be remembered in spite of ourselves. No personal significance, or insignificance, can spare one or another of us. The fiery trial through which we pass, will light us down,